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World leaders express shock over latest US shooting

Agence France-Presse

Posted at 12/15/2012 11:33 AM

UNITED NATIONS - World leaders expressed shock and horror after a gunman massacred 20 small children and six teachers Friday in the US state of Connecticut, in one of the worst school shootings in history.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon wrote to Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy to give his "deepest condolences at the shocking murders," a statement said.

"The targeting of children is heinous and unthinkable," he added in condemning the "horrendous" crime.

The head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso spoke of his "deep shock and horror" upon hearing of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which he called a "terrible tragedy."

"Young lives full of hope have been destroyed," he said in a statement.

A rose is tied to a cross next to candles outside Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church near Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a gunman opened fire on school children and staff in Newtown, Connecticut December 14, 2012. REUTERS/Joshua Lott

There were almost no non-fatal injuries, indicating that once targeted, there was rarely any chance of escape, and that the gunman, believed to be 20-year-old Adam Lanza, was unusually accurate or methodical in his fire.

"The news is just awful. The thoughts and prayers of Canadians are with the students and families in CT affected by this senseless violence," Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrote on his Twitter account.

His Foreign Minister John Baird said Canadians "stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends at this difficult time."

The child victims were reported to be aged between five and 10.

"I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about today's horrific shooting," British Prime Minister David Cameron said.

"My thoughts are with the injured and those who have lost loved ones. It is heartbreaking to think of those who have had their children robbed from them at such a young age, when they had so much life ahead of them."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to President Barack Obama in which she said she was "deeply shocked and saddened" to hear of the shootings.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the United Kingdom and throughout the Commonwealth are with the families and friends of those killed and with all those who have been affected by today's events."

French President Francois Hollande also extended his condolences to the victims and their relatives in a message to Obama.